HENNESSY Gold Cup favourite Bobs Worth’s participation in Saturday’s big race will not be confirmed until trainer Nicky Henderson has walked the course at Newbury and spoken with connections.

HENNESSY Gold Cup favourite Bobs Worth’s participation in Saturday’s big race will not be confirmed until trainer Nicky Henderson has walked the course at Newbury and spoken with connections.

The trainer inspected the Berkshire track yesterday afternoon and will discuss with the owners whether to run on potentially heavy ground.

A dual Cheltenham Festival winner, Bobs Worth has not been seen since beating First Lieutenant in the RSA Chase last March.

“We’re nervous about it (the ground) and I can’t just make a decision,” he said. “I’d have to say there’s an element of doubt and I’ll walk the course and then talk to the owners.

“The gallops here are as soft as I’ve ever seen, but he has been very happy up the grass and worked today. Newbury was the obvious place to go, so we’ll have to see. After that, there’s only the intermediate chase at Sandown next week, but I don’t want to run him right-handed.

“He won’t go for the King George, but I will make an entry for the Lexus over Christmas, as they do sometimes get decent ground at Leopardstown.”

Henderson’s other Hennessy entry, the Irish recruit and recent Ascot winner Roberto Goldback, will not be running.

“The handicapper decided to put him up 13lb for Ascot, when all that happened was that it was his first run on decent ground,” he said. “I’m inclined to run him in the two-and-a-half-mile race at Newbury on the Friday.”

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